By William McInnes and Sarah Turner

The market has finished flat today despite climbing up as high as 39 points in early trading.

The S&P/ASX 200 finished up just 0.2 points at 5,841.5.

AMP lost 4.4 per cent to $4.55 after it was grilled again over its deliberate practice of charging clients fees for financial advice without providing services in return.

Westpac fell 0.5 per cent to $28.81 and NAB lost 0.4 per cent to $28.51. Bank of Queensland dropped 2.4 per cent to $10.66 on Tuesday, after its slightly higher first half cash profit missed market expectations.

Perpetual slipped as brokers diverged on the firm. It was down 2.6 per cent to $41.00 after dropping 5.4 per cent in the previous session.

Whitehaven Coal was up 3 per cent to $4.41 buoyed higher by strong demand for coal during the March quarter.

Saracen Mineral Holdings' quarterly report revealed record levels of production. This helped the stock grow 5.6 per cent to $1.90.

In the energy sector, Oil Search revealed that revenue fell by a quarter after oil flows were halted by an earthquake in Papua New Guinea in February. It traded 2 per cent down $7.54 per cent.

Telstra traded at $3.15, up 1 per cent.

Village Roadshow shares sank as weak visitor numbers at its theme parks affected the company's earning forecasts. Its shares were down 15.2 per cent to $2.67.

The release of the minutes from the latest Reserve Bank of Australia meeting on Tuesday did little to shift the Australian dollar. It was trading at US77.76¢ down 0.1 per cent.

Oil Search's production slipped by more than a third in the first quarter after a devastating earthquake shut down its Papua New Guinean operations.

Revenue fell by a quarter after oils flows were halted by the magnitude 7.5 earthquake in February, which hit the rugged, heavily forested Southern Highlands area about 560km north-west of Port Moresby.

As we approach the final hour of trading, the S&P/ASX 200 index is up 0.3 per cent or 14.8 points to 5,856.1

Saracen Mineral Holdings is the best performer on the market currently up 5.6 per cent.

AMP is down 3.7 per cent.

2:39pm on 17 Apr 2018

Following the string of revelations of misconduct at the royal commission, AMP's new CEO will certainly have a challenge on their hands.

When Chanticleer spoke with AMP chairman Catherine Brenner on March 26, as she announced the retirement of chief executive Craig Meller, we asked what she would be looking for in her next CEO.

Brenner first said she would be hunting a "strategic thinker and a proven deliverer". But very quickly she stressed she wanted a "values-based leader" who is "committed to driving performance, but not at any cost".

Checking back in with the markets and the S&P/ASX 200 index is up 20.2 points to 5,861.

Retail Food Group is the best performer on the market, up 6.2 per cent.

AMP continues to be the worst performer on the market, down 3.2 per cent.

1:42pm on 17 Apr 2018

The ruble has recovered on the back of news that Washington was unlikely to impose further sanctions on Russia.

Investors had been bracing for an announcement from the US that it would impose new sanctions on the Kremlin in response to its continued backing of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad.

But sources close to US President Trump said that during a meeting with his national security team, he told them he was upset about sanctions being rolled out and that he was not yet comfortable with them.

Russian stocks have also been rebounded on the news that Trump is hesitant to impose more sanctions.

President Donald Trump and Russia President Vladimir Putin talk during the family photo session at the APEC Summit in Danang.Credit:MIKHAIL KLIMENTYEV

1:23pm on 17 Apr 2018

Saracen Mineral Holdings is one of the best performers on the market today following the release of its quarterly report.

The report showed record production for the company with cash and equivalents rising 22 per cent to $102 million from $83 million in the previous quarter.

Saracen Managing Director Raleigh Finlayson said that the quarterly result was a significant milestone for the company.

"Record mine production from both our production centres, together with a stable cost profile, underpinned impressive key operational and financial metrics across the business," he said.

"We are particularly pleased to report a cash and equivalents position of over $100 million for the first time – a really significant milestone for the Company."

Saracen Mineral Holdings shares are trading up 3.9 per cent at $1.87.

Saracen Mineral Holdings managing director Raleigh Finlayson says the company has joined the mid-tier Australian gold sector.Credit:Dominic Lorrimer